Greenburgh Cops Say Rape Victim Met Assailant Online

Greenburgh police are searching for a suspect in a Feb. 15 rape at the Westchester Marriott Hotel, 670 White Plains Road. The assailant, who was seen on the hotel's video surveillance, met the victim through an online escort service, police said.Photo Credit: File

GREENBURGH, N.Y. — The assailant in a rape investigation at the Westchester Marriott Hotel on Feb. 15 met the victim through an online escort service, Greenburgh police said Friday.

The suspect was seen on hotel video surveillance after 1 a.m. Police said a 29-year-old woman whom he met through a classified advertising website invited him into her room. The woman, who was not a local resident, was a registered guest at the hotel and was raped in her room, police said.

The woman also suffered bruises to her face and cuts to her neck, police said.

Police had not located the suspect as of 1 p.m. Friday. Police are treating the investigation as first-degree rape, a felony.

Police have rarely responded to online meet-ups resulting in assault in Greenburgh, said Lt. Brian Ryan, because the crimes are not always reported.

“The problem with this is that it is an extremely underreported crime,” Ryan said.

Anyone with information on the incident should call Greenburgh detectives at 914-682-5331. All calls will be keep confidential.

The following incidents also were reported by Greenburgh police:

Deer Shot: A 55-year-old Hartsdale woman called police at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday to report a dead deer in her backyard that had been shot with an arrow. The woman was concerned because hunting season is over and her house is near parks and schools.

Forgery: Police responded to a suspected forgery at an Elmsford bank at 1:30 p.m. Thursday. The suspect attempted to withdraw $4,500, and when asked to give her Social Security number or proof of past transactions, the woman left the bank and fled in a Toyota driven by a male, police said.

Theft From Car: A 52-year-old Edgemont woman reported at 12:15 p.m. Thursday that $10 in cash and a GPS device were stolen from her car. The car was unlocked and parked in her driveway, police said.

Petit Larceny: A 53-year-old Edgemont woman reported that $30 in quarters was taken from her Honda at 9:15 am on Wednesday. The car was unlocked and parked in her driveway, police said.